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Posted on 10/13/2009 3:04:43 PM PDT by underthestreetlite
NEW PORTLAND, Maine – It was the last way John Bernard would have wanted his voice to gain prominence in the national debate over the war in Afghanistan. The retired Marine had been writing to lawmakers for weeks complaining of the new rules of engagement he believed put U.S. troops at unacceptable risk in the insurgency-wracked country. He got little response.
Then Bernard's only son, 21-year-old Lance Cpl. Joshua Bernard — a Marine like his dad — was killed in an insurgent ambush in Afghanistan's volatile Helmand province, the latest victim of a surge in U.S. combat deaths. -----
Bernard's criticism is aimed at new rules of engagement imposed by Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the senior American commander in Afghanistan, five weeks before Joshua Bernard was killed. They limit the use of airstrikes and require troops to break off combat when civilians are present, even if it means letting the enemy escape. They also call for greater cooperation with the Afghan National Army.
Under those rules, John Bernard said, Marines and soldiers are being denied artillery and air support for fear of killing civilians, and the Taliban is using that to its tactical advantage. In a letter to his congressman and Maine's U.S. senators, Bernard condemned "the insanity of the current situation and the suicidal position this administration has placed these warriors in."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
FUBO.
STARWISE; 444Flyer; Mestamachine
The blog of John Bernard, Lance Cpl. Joshua Bernard’s father:
Let Them Fight or Bring Them Home
http://letthemfight.blogspot.com/
...changes must be made in how the war is fought before President Barack Obama sends any more troops to battle the Taliban and al-Qaida.
“For better or for worse, I may be the face of this. That’s fine,” said Bernard, sitting on his porch as he drank coffee from a Marine Corps mug. “As soon as someone bigger can run with it, they can have the whole thing.”
“We’ve got guys in harm’s way getting shot at and getting killed,” he said. “To me, it’s immoral that anybody in this country wouldn’t have that first and last on their minds.”
Before Joshua died, his father lived quietly as a professional carpenter and church volunteer.
Praying for our military and especially for our soldiers in Afghanistan; so much publicity lately, perhaps sanity will prevail.
Third tour! Several Freepers have sons there or getting ready to go, like your son. I am starting a list to remember them by name and their families.
God Bless the Bernard family. May John Bernard find an ear in the midst of the Idiot in leadership who is currently hijacking and risking our armed service members with the call for a repeal of ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’, crap ROE’s, favoring of the Taliban and blind and absent strategy.
I just don't know what else to say because we have a president who is playing politics with the lives of these brave men. Damn his soul!
ping
Recon Dad, I am with you. My son could be over there soon too. Let’s fight them here, while our brave sons try to protect us.
God bless your son and your family. My prayers are with them....as always.
Third tour! Several Freepers have sons there or getting ready to go, like your son. I am starting a list to remember them by name and their families.
If you have a list, I would love to have it.
I find this very upsetting as well. Two of my sons are off to Afghanistan the beginning of 2010 as well.
Anybody know where the most “current” version of the ROE can be found? I am very curious to learn how this admin has tied the hands of our troops.
His son’s case is sad, but not the worst. The recent fuel truck incident (the US strike was called in by German soldiers) has meant that rules on air support is DRASTICALLY more strict —6 guys were permitted to slowly die, begging all the while on the radio for air support, which was simply denied —civilians said to be too close.
And so the picture is simple —attack US troops where some civilians are prominently nearby, and there will be NO SUCH THING as US air support.
By and by, the civilians will understand their important A.A. role, and eventually the “civilians” will not be that at all —they will be full-fledged Taliban whose important role is simply to stand there, a bit like play-actors, acting to ward off our aircraft.
My prayers to your 2 fine son's!
Very simple new Taliban rules:
1. If caught in the open unprepared —DO NOT FIRE FIRST. The Americans cannot attack you if you do nothing to provoke them.
2. When preparing an ambush, take meticulous care that civilians are nearby. If so, aircraft cannot attack you, and artillery probably cannot either.
3. If no civilians are nearby, take 1/3 of your element and disarm them. Direct them to perform some flamboyantly civilian work nearby —100 meters or so is a good distance. Digging, praying, or reproductive behavior are good examples. These are your “civilians” who continue their activities throughout your completely successful ambush.
WHAT IDIOT COULDN’T COOK THIS CRAP UP, GIVING OUR STUPID R.O.E...?
The military doesn’t usually vote Dem, so what would Obama care......he’s getting rid of opposition votes with this policy. Dead Republicans don’t vote, just dead dems.
Lance Cpl. Bernard was the Marine that some dip____ cold-hearted photographer took a picture of right after being hit by a Talabani rocket propelled grenade. It is a bloody and terribly graphic picture of Lance Cpl. Bernard, 21, as he lay dying, an appendage blown off, while two of his Brother Marines rushed to his side to try to aide him.
September 7th, 2009 "...The U.S. defense secretary, Robert Gates, condemned the decision by the news agency Associated Press to publish the graphic photograph after Bernard was killed in Afghanistan.
In a scathing letter to Tom Curley, president and chief executive of the AP, Gates said the decision was 'appalling', saying it was a matter of 'judgment and common decency' not to publish the photo.
Gates wrote in the letter: 'I cannot imagine the pain and suffering Lance Corporal Bernard's death has caused his family.
'Why your organization would purposely defy the family's wishes knowing full well that will lead to yet more anguish is beyond me.
'Your lack of compassion and common sense in choosing to put this image of the maimed and stricken child on the front page o multiple newspapers is appalling.'
...Finally, after the pics had been distributed by the AP but before they were published. Gates made a phone call to Tom Curley and said 'I am begging you to defer to the wishes of the family."" (NOT TO PUBLISH THE PICTURE!)
The flippin AP went ahead and did it anyway!!!!!
(I won't publish the source as the graphic picture of Lance Cpl. Bernard is on the front page and I will not circulate the picture that cold-hearted monster of a woman took. ~Flyer)
HOWEVER, here is a pic of the Perpetrator, posing and smiling coyly with a couple of Afghan Army soldiers.:
Associated Press photographer Julie Jacobson with Afghan National Army.
My son will be headed back in a short while. Originally Iraq, however the skuttlebut as of last week is AFG. Keeping y’all in my thoughts.
Our military has enemies on both sides of this war; the Taliban and the United States Democrat Party. May God protect these brave men and women cause he’s the only one who will.
The mother of a soldier called our local radio talk show today, and said the same thing. (Eastern Canada)
She wants her son home if he’s not going to be able to fight, since we can’t win this war, this way.
:-(
...
Thanks for the post.
Beyond words...
My thoughts and prayers with you and yours also.
Lance Corporal Joshua 'Bernie' Bernard
Marine Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Bernard
3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay; died Aug. 14 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
2/3 Marine dies in Afghanistan
Staff report
OCEANSIDE, Calif. — Defense Department officials Aug. 17 identified a Marine killed Aug. 14 in Afghanistan as Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Bernard.
Bernard, 21, a rifleman from New Portland, Maine, died while he was supporting operations in Helmand province, military officials said.
The combat deployment was the second for Bernard, who enlisted in November 2006 and joined Hawaii-based 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, in May 2007 and deployed with the battalion to Iraq in 2008, Marine Corps Base-Hawaii officials said in a news release. The battalion is operating as part of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade in Afghanistan.
Bernard had received the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, officials said.
Died:
August 14, 2009
156 U.S. Soldiers, Sailors , Marines, and Airmen have been killed in Afghanistan since the announcement of the new rules of engagement on July 2 . If this keeps up at this rate in about two weeks will have had more of our servicemen die this year in Afghanistan as we have lost in the first 5 years fighting this war.
Pray for our troops .
Rest in Peace
156)10-10-2009 Ochoa Jr., Alfonso Lance Corporal
155)10-10-2009 Cauley, George W. Specialist
154)10-09-2009 Taylor, Aaron J. Staff Sergeant
153)10-07-2009 Westbrook, Kenneth W. Sergeant 1st Class
152)10-04-2009 Hill, Kevin O. Specialist
151)10-03-2009 Hardt, Joshua M. Sergeant
150)10-03-2009 Gallegos, Justin T. Sergeant
149)10-03-2009 Mace, Stephen L. Specialist
148)10-03-2009 Martin, Vernon W. Staff Sergeant
147)10-03-2009 Griffin, Christopher T. Specialist
146)10-03-2009 Scusa, Michael P. Not yet reported
145)10-03-2009 Kirk, Joshua J. Sergeant
144)10-03-2009 Thomson. Kevin C. Private 1st Class
143)10-03-2009 Owens, Brandon A Private 1st Class
142)10-03-2009 Smith, Aaron M. Sergeant
141)10-02-2009 Rabjohn, Thomas D. Sergeant
140)10-02-2009 Sklaver, Benjamin A. Captain
139)10-02-2009 Newton Jr., Alan H. Private 1st Class
138)10-02-2009 Adams, Ryan C. Sergeant
137)10-01-2009 Hercules Jr., Russell S.Specialist
136)9-30-2009 French IV, Alex Staff Sergeant
135)9-28-2009 Shaw, Christopher D. Sergeant 1st Class
134)9-28-2009 Martin III, Jack M. Staff Sergeant
133)9-26-2009 Chrobot, Jordan L. Lance Corporal
132)9-26-2009 Graham, Kevin J. Specialist
131)9-24-2009 Malone, John J. Lance Corporal
130)9-24-2009 Reynolds, Titus R. Sergeant
129)9-24-2009 Smith, Edward Bernard Sergeant
128)9-24-2009 White, Joseph V. Specialist
127)9-21-2009 Meredith, William L. Private 1st Class
126)9-20-2009 Kowall, Corey J. Specialist
125)9-20-2009 Winkleman, Damon G. Specialist
124)9-19-2009 Davis, David A. Sergeant
123)9-17-2009 Monroe, Jeremiah J. Private 1st Class
122)9-16-2009 Gordon II, Robert D. Sergeant
121)9-16-2009 Bohle, Bradley S. Sergeant 1st Class
120)9-16-2009 McCloskey, Shawn P. Sergeant 1st Class
119)9-16-2009 Mills, Joshua M. Staff Sergeant
118)9-15-2009 Void, Demetrius L. Specialist
117)9-14-2009 Wright II, David T. 1st Lieutenant
116)9-14-2009 McConnell, Andrew H. Sergeant
115)9-12-2009 Hornbarger, James R Technical Sergeant
114)9-12-2009 Berky, Bryan D. Staff Sergeant
113)9-12-2009 Juden, Tyler A. Sergeant
112)9-12-2009 Cox, Daniel L. Specialist
111)9-12-2009 Allen, Nekl B. Staff Sergeant
110)9-11-2009 Martinek, Matthew M. Private 1st Class
109)9-10-2009 Fowlkes, Christopher S. Lance Corporal
108)9-10-2009 Parten, Tyler E. 1st Lieutenant
107)9-08-2009 Layton, James R. Petty Officer 3rd Class
106)9-08-2009 Johnson Jr., Edwin Wayne Gunnery Sergeant
105)9-08-2009 Johnson, Michael E. 1st Lieutenant
104)9-08-2009 Kenefick, Aaron M. Staff Sergeant
103)9-06-2009 Haney, Randy M. Sergeant
102)9-06-2009 Murphrey, Michael C. Staff Sergeant
101)9-05-2009 Loney, Youvert Sergeant
100)9-05-2009 Meadows, Joshua S. Captain
99)9-04-2009 Andrews, Darryn D. 2nd Lieutenant
98)9-03-2009 Baltazar Jr., Christopher S. Lance Corporal
97)9-03-2009 Castiglione, Benjamin P. Petty Officer 3rd Class
96)8-31-2009 Welch, Jonathan D. Specialist
95)8-31-2009 Brochu, Jordan M. Private 1st Class
94)8-31-2009 Hall, David R. Lance Corporal
93)8-31-2009 Walshe, Tyler R. Specialist
92)8-29-2009 Hario, Eric W Private 1st Class
91)8-29-2009 Dahlke, Jason Sean Staff Sergeant
90)8-28-2009 Wheeler III, Abraham Sherrod Specialist
89)8-27-2009 Wildes, Matthew Everett Private 1st Class
88)8-26-2009 Hogan, Donald James Lance Corporal
87)8-26-2009 Curtiss, Kurt Robert Staff Sergeant
86)8-25-2009 Hallett III, John Louis Captain
85)8-25-2009 Jenkins, Cory J. Captain
84)8-25-2009 Williams, Dennis Michael Specialist
83)8-25-2009 Sawyer, Ronald Wayne Sergeant 1st Class
82)8-22-2009 Morin, Darby Todd Corporal
81)8-22-2009 Lobosco, Andrew Thomas Staff Sergeant
80)8-21-2009 Ingram, Matthew Lee Sergeant
79)8-20-2009 Pellerin, Justin Reid Specialist
78)8-20-2009 Wolverton, Brian Michael Not Yet Reported
77)8-19-2009 Dumont Jr., Paul Edmond Specialist
76)8-18-2009 Benjamin, Adam Frank Gunnery Sergeant
75)8-18-2009 Yanney, Jonathan Christopher Private 1st Class
74)8-18-2009 Walker, Morris Lewis Not Yet Reported
73)8-18-2009 Tom, Troy Orion Specialist
72)8-18-2009 Crisostomo, Jose San Nicolas 1st Sergeant
71)8-18-2009 Bowen, Clayton Patrick Private 1st Class
70)8-17-2009 Damas, Leopold Fred Lance Corporal
69)8-16-2009 Woods Jr., William Brian Sergeant 1st Class
68)8-16-2009 Roush, Nicholas Ryan Corporal
67)8-14-2009 Bernard, Joshua Matthew Lance Corporal
66)8-13-2009 Cahir, William John Sergeant
65)8-12-2009 Tinsley, John Captain
64)8-10-2009 Ferrell, Bruce Earnest Lance Corporal
63)8-09-2009 Schimmel, Patrick Wayne Lance Corporal
62)8-08-2009 Swanson, Matthew Kalen Samue Specialist
61)8-08-2009 Olvera, Javier Lance Corporal 20
60)8-08-2009 Smith, Tara Jean Staff Sergeant
59)8-07-2009 Burrow, Dennis James Lance Corporal
58)8-07-2009 Freeman, Matthew Charles Hays Captain
57)8-07-2009 Evans Jr., Jerry Randall Sergeant
56)8-06-2009 Hoskins, Jay Michael Sergeant
55)8-06-2009 Guzman, Rivera Christian Armando Corporal
54)8-06-2009 Argentine, James David Lance Corporal
53)8-06-2009 Babine, Travis Thornton Lance Corporal
52)8-05-2009 Garcia, Anthony Christian Petty Officer 3rd Class
51)8-02-2009 Summers III, Severin West Sergeant 1st Class
50)8-02-2009 Luce Jr., Ronald George Captain
49)8-02-2009 Granado III, Alejandro Sergeant 1st Class
48)8-01-2009 Walls, Jonathan Michael Corporal
47)8-01-2009 Fitzgibbon, Patrick Scott Private
46)8-01-2009 Jones, Richard Kelvin Private
45)7-31-2009 Miller, Alexander Joel Specialist
44)7-30-2009 Posey, Gregory Alan Lance Corporal
43)7-30-2009 Stroud, Jonathan Fulton Lance Corporal
42)7-29-2009 Vose III, Douglas Melville Chief Warrant Officer
41)7-29-2009 Smith, Gerrick David Sergeant
40)7-25-2009 Vincent, Donald Wayne Private 1st Class
39)7-24-2009 Coleman, Justin Dean Specialist
38)7-23-2009 Charpentier, Andrew Scott Aviation Electronics Technician Airman
37)7-23-2009 Lane, Ryan H. Sergeant
36)7-23-2009 Xiarhos, Nicholas George Corporal
35)7-23-2009 Lasher, Jeremy Scott Lance Corporal
34)7-22-2009 Neff Jr, Randy L.J. Specialist
33)7-22-2009 Rimer, Joshua James Sergeant
32)7-21-2009 Morales, Raymundo Porras Sergeant
31)7-20-2009 Pratt, Dennis Joseph Private 1st Class
30)7-20-2009 Roughton, Andrew Jay Specialist
29)7-20-2009 Owens Jr., Gregory Sergeant
28)7-20-2009 Lightfoot, Anthony Marquis Specialist
27)7-18-2009 Kopp, Benjamin Stephen Corporal
26)7-18-2009 Gramith, Thomas Joseph Captain
25)7-18-2009 Mcdowell, Mark Russell Captain
24)7-14-2009 Fabrizi, Jason John Sergeant 1st Class
23)7-13-2009 Spicer, David Shane Staff Sergeant
22)7-13-2009 Heede Jr, Michael Wayne Sergeant
21)7-12-2009 Lindstrom, Eric James Staff Sergeant
20)7-11-2009 Hatfield, Jerome David Master Sergeant
19)7-11-2009 Barbozaflores, Pedro Antonio Lance Corporal
18)7-10-2009 Lembke, Matthew Ryan Corporal
17)7-09-2009 Farris, Joshua Ray Specialist
16)7-09-2009 Missman, Gregory James Specialist
15)7-08-2009 Roy, Michael C. Sergeant
14)7-08-2009 Hager, Roger Gary Michael Lance Corporal
13)7-08-2009 Tate, Darren Ethan Aviation Ordnanceman Airman
12)7-08-2009 Hayes, John Eric Sergeant
11)7-07-2009 Talbert, Christopher M. Specialist
10)7-06-2009 Garner,Mark A. Captain
9)7-06-2009 Chavers, Brock H. Sergeant
8)7-06-2009 Hosford, Chester W. Specialist
7)7-06-2009 Williams, Derwin I. 2nd Lieutenant
6)7-06-2009 Johnson, Issac L. Specialist
5)7-06-2009 Randolph, Tony Michael Petty Officer Second Class
4)7-06-2009 Gideon, Nicolas H. J. Private 1st Class
3)7-04-2009 Fairbairn, Aaron E. Private 1st Class
2)7-04-2009 Casillas, Justin A. Private 1st Class
1)7-02-2009 Sharp, Charles S. Lance Corporal
Keep the faith we’ll all make it through and they’ll all come back safe and sound.
Is that this incident? if not, do you have a link?
Battle at Ganjgal (less than a month prior to Kamdesh/Keating)
Posted on Tuesday, September 8, 2009
‘We’re pinned down:’ 4 U.S. Marines die in Afghan ambush
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/75036.html?storylink=MI_emailed
There is a list of military with the FReepers names next to them posted by Kathy in Alaska on the Canteen thread daily. Not exactly what you are looking for I know, but...
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